Red Ribbon Week Brings Fun, Purpose, and a Powerful Message

Across the nation — and right here in Hawk Country — students are celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of living drug-free. What began nearly forty years ago as a small, grassroots effort has become the nation’s largest and longest-running drug prevention campaign, reaching millions of families each year.

The movement started in 1985 after the death of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug trafficking in Mexico. In response, parents and youth began wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice and take a stand against the damage drugs cause in communities. That single act of remembrance sparked a national campaign built on Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.

Throughout the week, LaRue County students are joining the effort with themed dress-up days and classroom activities that mix fun with purpose. From “Hugs Not Drugs — Wear Cozy Clothes and Bring a Stuffed Animal” to Camo Day and Twin Day, each theme encourages students to engage with the message in a way that sticks. The goal is to create lasting memories that reinforce positive choices and remind students that being drug-free is something to be proud of.

Though the week brings laughter and creativity, its message is serious: the choices students make today shape their future. Red Ribbon Week helps keep that truth front and center, reminding young people that they have the power to set an example for their peers and strengthen the community around them.

As Agent Camarena once told his mother, “I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.” This week, students across LaRue County are proving that one person’s choice — multiplied by hundreds of others — truly can.